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2019

Looking back on a year is something that I've managed to do every year since I was 14.  I sat in my best friend Angelica's house, just having come back inside from the street after watching fireworks at midnight.  I wrote in my journal a review of what school I went to, who my friends were, what I thought on the year past, and what I wanted in the year ahead.  My records of these things were constantly changing each year, as I moved around and my health seemed to change. 

In adulthood, things are much more stable. My friends remain the same, I don't move as often and each year passes without me being "successful" at becoming "healthy."   2019 was a little bit different, I made a lot of changes in my health and I'm moving into 2020 working on accepting where I'm at instead of changing it.  That doesn't mean I won't make an effort to continue to be healthier.  I do want to exercise more, eat better, be consistent in self care, and show continued growth as a therapist.  However, none of those things will make or break 2020. 

I did make my reading goals, including (thanks to some end of the year focus) completion of the 2019 pop sugar reading challenge, and well over shooting my GoodReads reading goal. 

During the end of the year stretch I read some amazing and some not so amazing books.

Among the amazing:
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
This is probably my favorite read of 2019 that was not written by one of my already favorite authors.  It was inspiring. The characters were amazing. The story was stunning.  I recommend The Hate you Give to everyone ever. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I fell in love with Rainbow Rowell this year.  Rainbow writes a magically captivating world.  Fangirl is written in a very interesting way as well.  I also adore these characters sincerely. 

Zodiac by Romina Russell
Another amazing fantasy story. Zodiac includes world creation in the most interesting way.  There are rules for the magic that I understood completely from the story being told. Surprises always were surprising. I can't wait to read more. 

Becoming by Michelle Obama
In a year filled with biographies, this was my absolute favorite one. I enjoyed everything about the writing. Michelle really told her story in a way that showed the impact of racism in the black communities as well as the interesting pieces about being first lady that people are always looking for.  I'm not sure any biography will ever beat this as my favorite.

The not amazing have low stars on goodreads, but bare no mentioning here.  I hope you had a blessed holiday and walk in to 2020 eyes wide open.

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